BERNARD Brogan might have the people of Kerry all in a tizzy after he agreed to turn on the Christmas lights in Listowel, but the Dublin 'ex-pats' of Kildare have given him a welcome to make up for it.

BERNARD Brogan might have the people of Kerry all in a tizzy after he agreed to turn on the Christmas lights in Listowel, but the Dublin 'ex-pats' of Kildare have given him a welcome to make up for it.

The All-Ireland star – who recently qualified as an accountant – joined his family yesterday for the grand opening of a hotel in Celbridge in which his father, Bernard Brogan Snr, shares ownership.

The Brogans were swamped by delighted Dublin supporters, including the youngest supporter, five-day old Kyle McManus – who soon found himself in the snug embrace of the Sam Maguire Cup, under the proud eye of his father, Stephen, who lives in Leixlip.

The Celbridge Manor Hotel – formerly known as the Setanta House Hotel – was bought over the summer by a consortium of business people including Mr Brogan Snr, Jeff Leo Brogan and the Castle Hotel Group for around €1.25m.

It was sold by receivers and had been closed for about 18 months beforehand.